Artists: Axess
P: 2026
It's been almost 25 years since Axel released his first solo album, "First Light," under the pseudonym Axess. Now, on April 10, 2026, his eleventh album, "The Power Of Love," will be released. In this quarter-century, Axel's music has undergone a significant transformation. Little remains of the electronic music he originally made, heavily influenced by the so-called Berlin School; this style of music is now pursued by Axel in his project Pyramid Peak. As Axess, the 58-year-old musician, born in Leverkusen but now living in Meerbusch, presents a considerably more subdued sound. Since the 2017 album "Seashore," Axel's music has taken on a much more chilled-out, almost ambient, character. Expansive soundscapes, long reverberations, subtle rhythms, and chill beats define the music of his last four albums, and "The Power Of Love" is no exception! The eight tracks, ranging in length from 6:39 to 12:30 minutes, glide smoothly and hypnotically through the ears, allowing the listener to forget all the stresses of everyday life for nearly 75 minutes. All the songs move at a tempo of 70-94 bpm, leading to profound relaxation and encouraging imaginary journeys through space and time. The quality of both the songs and the overall sound has improved significantly compared to its predecessor, thanks in part to the final mastering of the CD by Axel's longtime friend and musical partner, Max "maxxess" Schiefele. With "The Power Of Love," Axel opens a new chapter in his musical career, as this CD is the first to be recorded entirely in his new "Reinklang Studio" in Meerbusch. Axel also leaves behind the past few personally difficult years and looks optimistically and full of inspiration toward a new, happy future. This positive, albeit sometimes slightly melancholic, mood runs like a common thread through the new CD and also includes one or two catchy tunes.
